Google Site Reputation Abuse update urges websites to avoid penalty

SearchLiasion of Google introduced a “site reputation abuse” update that urges websites to modify content to avoid penalties. Following that, Google has started taking manual action against abuses of site reputation since May 6, 2024.

This action aims to stop third-party content hosting with minimal control and manipulation of search rankings. Algorithm enforcement will likely come next while increasing the new policy’s implementation.

Today we announced the March 2024 core update & new spam policies that, in combination, are designed to show less content made to attract clicks and more content that people find useful. Learn more: https://t.co/wQVZ8mExRB
— Google Search Central (@googlesearchc) March 5, 2024

Google is currently manually implementing its policy regarding site reputation abuse. It means that Google employees are introspecting websites to decide whether to take manual action to remove them from the search index. This initial manual stage is essential for establishing the foundation for the later algorithm steps.

However, using the authority of another website to manipulate the search engine ranking of one’s own content comes under “site reputation abuse.” This strategy also refers to “parasite SEO,” which is more of a mutually beneficial partnership than a one-sided takeover.

Usually, small-time marketers use this strategy. But big companies also use this tactic, particularly in industries like credit card services and product reviews.

However, under a new policy update of Google regarding site reputation abuse, Google’s search index will remove all websites implementing this strategy. The new policy of Google also focuses on websites that contain content from third parties with little to no engagement from the host.

Click here to read the updates on Google November 2023 core update released

Site reputation abuse is the practice that refers to publishing third-party pages with little to no first-party monitoring or involvement. Google will consider it an attempt to manipulate search rankings by taking advantage of the first-party site’s rankings.

This includes sponsored partners, advertising, and other third-party pages, which usually differ from the primary goal of the host site. Moreover, it includes poorly supervised third-party pages and those that provide little value to users.

Hence, this policy update focuses not only on third-party material inclusion. However, it also emphasizes its quality and compatibility with the main goals of the main host.